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Ian R. Combs
Coral reef ecology, coral health and disease
Education
M.Sc. in Biological Sciences
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL
2019 - 2017
Thesis: Characterizing the impacts of stony coral tissue loss disease on coral in southeast Florida using 3D photogrammetry
Advisor: Dr. Joshua Voss
B.Sc. in Marine Science
University of Delaware
Newark, DE
2014 - 2010
Research Experience
Coral Reef Ecosystems Biologist
Mote Marine Laboratory
Summerland Key, FL
Present - 2020
Dr. Erinn Muller, Erich Bartels
Established Mote Marine Laboratory’s photogrammetry program, created and optimized rigorous methods for obtaining broad-scale ecological information to better inform monitoring and restoration practices. Incorporated Structure-from-Motion photogrammetry across all scales of restoration from large-area imaging on the macro-scale (500m2) and single colony fate-tracking on the the micro-scale (100cm2).
Research Technician
FAU, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Ft. Pierce, FL
2020 - 2019
Voss Laboratory
Dr. Joshua Voss
Lead field research operations for local southeast Florida stony coral tissue loss disease related projects including disease monitoring, fate-tracking, disease
intervention, and tissue sampling. Responsible for sample processing, data
entry, data analysis, and database management of southeast Florida projects. Maintain lab and field supplies, chemical inventory, and lab equipment. Mentor interns and assist students in the lab. Assist with report and publication writing.
Graduate Research Assistant
FAU, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Ft. Pierce, FL
2019 - 2017
Voss Laboratory
Dr. Joshua Voss
Executed fieldwork for southeast Florida stony coral tissue loss disease projects, collected and analyzed roving diver disease survey data, adapted and optimized 3D photogrammetry technique to assess surface area of fate-tracked coral colonies, processed and analyzed 3D photogrammetry data, intervened on
diseased, fate-tracked coral colonies. Participated in 2 research cruises totalling 20+ days at sea.
Coral Restoration Intern
Mote Marine Laboratory
Summerland Key, FL
2017
Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration
Chris Page
Maintained land-based coral nursery including water quality, raceway
maintinence, and microfragmentation
Coral Health and Disease Research Intern
Mote Marine Laboratory
Sarasota, FL
2016
Coral Health and Disease Laboratory
Dr. Erinn Muller
Collected, processed, and analyzed data to better understand genotypic
responses to ocean acidification and temperature in Acropora cervicornis
Research Assistant
University of Delaware
Lewes, DE
2014
Team Benthic Habitat Mapping
Dr. Douglas Miller
Processed over 1,000 benthic AUV photographs assessing incidental mortality of sea scallops from commercial fishing dredges
Teaching Experience
Graduate Teaching Assistant
FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Ft. Pierce, FL
2018
Marine Biodiversity
Gathered specimens, set up experiments, assisted students in the field and in the laboratory, proctored exams, graded and provided feedback on end of
semester project
Research-based After-school Program for Students
Mote Marine Laboratory
Summerland Key, FL
2017
Assisted high school students with designing, implementing, and analyzing their own research projects
Alumni Service Corps
Gonzaga College High School
Washington, D.C.
2015 - 2014
Substitute taught a wide variety of classes, coached rugby and water polo,
coordinated volunteering, meal preparation, and meal delivery at Gonzaga’s chapter of Campus Kitchen
Students and Interns Mentored
and Co-supervised
Kamryn Herbison
Mote REU Intern
N/A
2022
Brooke Pohlman
Mote College Intern
N/A
2022
Ryan Rogers
Mote REU Intern
N/A
2021
Brielle D’Alonzo
Mote College Intern
N/A
2021
Brianna Matthews
Mote College Intern
N/A
2021
Ashley Carreiro
Coral Reef Health and Ecology Lab
Determining stony coral tissue loss disease intervention success
on Montastraea cavernosa using 3D photogrammetry
N/A
2020
Mckenna Rayburn
Link fellowship intern
Intervention methods and rate of tissue loss on stony coral tissue loss
disease-affected Montastraea cavernosa in the Florida Reef Tract
N/A
2019
Diana Perez
Link fellowship intern
Zooxanthellae characterization and connectivity in Montastraea cavernosa
N/A
2018
Refereed Publications
Characterizing the impacts of stony coral tissue loss disease on corals in southeast Florida using 3D photogrammetry
PLoS 2021.
N/A
N/A
Combs IR, Studivan MS, Eckert, RJ, Voss JD
Assessing the effectiveness of two intervention methods for stony coral tissue loss disease on Montastraea cavernosa
Scientific Reports 2021.
N/A
N/A
Shilling EN, Combs IR, Voss JD
Technical Reports
Intervention and fate tracking for corals affected by stony coral tissue loss disease in the northern Florida Reef Tract
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
N/A
2019
Voss JD, Shilling E, Combs I
Presentations
Characterizing impacts of scleractinian tissue loss disease on corals in southeast Florida with photogrammetry and 3D modeling
48th Annual Benthic Ecology Meeting
St. John’s, NL, Canada
2019
Combs IR, Beal J, Voss JD
Oral presentation
Characterizing the impacts of scleractinian tissue loss disease on corals in southeast Florida
ASLO Aquatic Sciences Meeting
San Juan, PR
2019
Combs IR, Beal J, Voss JD
Poster presentation
Impacts of scleractinian tissue loss disease on corals in
southeast Florida
Indian River Lagoon Symposium
Outstanding Presentation Award
Ft. Pierce, FL
2019
Combs IR, Beal J, Voss JD
Poster presentation
Understanding coral disease through 3D Modeling
HBOI Ocean Discovery Visitors Center
Marine Science Fridays
Ft. Pierce, FL
2019
Combs IR
Oral presentation
Eulogy for the St. Lucie Reef
3MT - Three Minute Thesis Competition
Heat 7 Runner-Up
4th Place Overall
Ft. Pierce, FL
2018
Combs IR Oral presentation
White blotch disease impacts on corals in southeast Florida
47th Annual Benthic Ecology Meeting
Corpus Christi, TX
2018
Combs IR, Beal J, Voss JD
Poster presentation
Funding
Indian River Lagoon Graduate Research Fellowship
$7,947
N/A
2019 - 2018
FAU GPSA Travel Awards
$1,600
N/A
2019 - 2018
Certifications
AAUS Scientific Diver
100’
N/A
N/A
PADI Enriched Air Nitrox Certification
N/A
N/A
N/A
DAN Oxygen delivery, First Aid, and CPR for scuba diving injuries
N/A
N/A
N/A
USFWS Motorboat Operator Certification Course
N/A
N/A
N/A
Membership and Service
Association for the Studies of Limnology and Oceanography
N/A
N/A
2018
Benthic Ecology Meeting Society
N/A
N/A
2018
Skills
Field research planning, logistics, and execution
N/A
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3D photogrammetry, 3D model generation using Agisoft Metashape, 3D model analysis using Rhinoceros 3D
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Data visualization using R statistical software and R Markdown
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Multivariate statistical analyses
N/A
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Python
N/A
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Data management using GitHub
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Scientific SCUBA diving
N/A
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N/A
References
Dr. Erinn Muller
Associate Vice President for Research
Program Manager for Coral Health & Disease, Coral Restoration
Senior Scientist
Supervisor
Mote Marine Laboratory
N/A
+1 (941) 388–4441 ext310
emuller@mote.org
Erich Bartels
Staff Scientist
Program Manager Coral Reef Monitoring & Assessment
Supervisor
Mote Marine Laboratory
N/A
+1 (305) 395-8729
ebartels@mote.org
Dr. Joshua Voss
Associate Research Professor
CIOERT Executive Director
M.Sc. Advisor
Florida Atlantic University
N/A
+1 (772) 242–2538
jvoss2@fau.edu